The following video shows the first double stack train through the new Virginia Avenue Tunnel in Washington DC. This is the former CR, PC, PRR freight route between the NEC (and the old B&O routes) near Landover and the former Potomac Yard. The existing tunnel, about 100 years old, was double track until PRR electrified it in the 1930's. Even when CR removed the cantenary in the early 1980's the tunnel was too short to clear double stacks, mulitlevels, etc. CSX just finished a parallel cut and cover bore next to the existing one and opened it for service on Thursday. The old tunnel will now be removed and rebuilt to provide double track capacity. CSX now has a double stack route from the south east, through south Baltimore and west to their new center at North Baltimore Ohio and points west. The next major challenge will be the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore.

This project was built underneath a residential street with all the modern environmental justice concerns that such activities now generate. For example, all tunnel wall support pilings were drilled even though a nearby large apartment building was able to use pile drivers. Google "Virginia Avenue Tunnel" to learn more about this interesting and cahllenging project.